WORRYING numbers of young people have been treated by mental health hospitals as a consequence of taking dangerous so-called ‘party’ drugs, the Star has learned.

The deterioration in some teenage patients’ mental state is believed to be linked to their use of drugs such as mephedrone – more commonly known as meow meow - or naphyrone.

The substances were known as ‘legal highs’ until they were banned, amid much national publicity, by the Government last year.

But police fear they are still being supplied in St Helens, particularly to student communities, while the Star has learned they are also being dealt on some housing estates.

Health chiefs would not be drawn on precise figures, but drugs workers have reported seeing mephedrone users suffering from irritability, anxiety and aggression.

The Star understands there have been cases where young drug users have been admitted to mental health units, such has been the damage to their wellbeing.

The Five Boroughs NHS Partnership, which cares for mentally ill patients locally, would not comment on specific cases but did issue a warning about such drugs.

Linda Kellie, assistant director of child and adolescent mental health services, said: “Illegal drugs or ‘highs’ as they are sometimes known can make existing mental health conditions such as depression and schizophrenia much worse and increase the risk of serious complications like psychosis and even death.

“Even legal drugs should be treated cautiously. If a young person’s mental health is adversely affected or made worse by drug-taking it is possible that they may be referred to the Trust for specialist treatment and support in an in-patient unit or in the community.”

Drugs support services in St Helens have also treated mephedrone users suffering from aggression, irritability and anxiety, though the cases have declined since the substance was made illegal.

Police have expressed concerns about the drug’s potential damage and are urging youngsters not to use the hazardous chemicals.

They have been attempting to stem the flow of mephedrone – now classified as a Class B drug.